Everton midfielder Mikel Arteta has ended distracting speculation surrounding his future by penning a new five-year contract with the Toffees.
Arteta had been linked with a move to Arsenal and various clubs in his homeland but the 28-year-old has ended speculation over his future by agreeing the improved deal.
The Spanish schemer, who joined Everton in a £2 million deal five years ago after a successful loan spell from Real Sociedad, follows Tim Cahill, Leighton Baines, Jack Rodwell and Seamus Coleman in signing a new long-term contract this summer.
Arteta told the club's website:"What this summer has made me realise is how important I am to the club and how important the club is to me.
"The chairman and the manager wanted me to stay 120 percent and that makes me feel proud.
"We are all seeing the club and the future in the same way and that is special — something that you don't always find.
"I believe in this squad. We have got a very strong squad now and it is getting difficult to pick an 11 because of the players we have.
"Something is happening here and I want to be a part of it."
Chairman Bill Kenwright said: "Mikel Arteta is one of the finest players ever to wear an Everton shirt and over the past few weeks his pride in wearing that shirt has helped our conversations hugely.
"Alongside several others in the squad we are both passionate Evertonians.
"After already tying up the likes of Tim Cahill, Jack Rodwell, Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman on long-term deals we have now agreed terms with one of the finest and most influential players in our recent history."
Everton manager David Moyes added: "It's great news that Mikel Arteta has pledged his future to Everton.
"He is a very important player for us and we are delighted to secure him.
"The chairman deserves a lot of credit for making this deal happen. He is continually trying to move the club forward."
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Arteta had been linked with a move to Arsenal and various clubs in his homeland but the 28-year-old has ended speculation over his future by agreeing the improved deal.
The Spanish schemer, who joined Everton in a £2 million deal five years ago after a successful loan spell from Real Sociedad, follows Tim Cahill, Leighton Baines, Jack Rodwell and Seamus Coleman in signing a new long-term contract this summer.
Arteta told the club's website:"What this summer has made me realise is how important I am to the club and how important the club is to me.
"The chairman and the manager wanted me to stay 120 percent and that makes me feel proud.
"We are all seeing the club and the future in the same way and that is special — something that you don't always find.
"I believe in this squad. We have got a very strong squad now and it is getting difficult to pick an 11 because of the players we have.
"Something is happening here and I want to be a part of it."
Chairman Bill Kenwright said: "Mikel Arteta is one of the finest players ever to wear an Everton shirt and over the past few weeks his pride in wearing that shirt has helped our conversations hugely.
"Alongside several others in the squad we are both passionate Evertonians.
"After already tying up the likes of Tim Cahill, Jack Rodwell, Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman on long-term deals we have now agreed terms with one of the finest and most influential players in our recent history."
Everton manager David Moyes added: "It's great news that Mikel Arteta has pledged his future to Everton.
"He is a very important player for us and we are delighted to secure him.
"The chairman deserves a lot of credit for making this deal happen. He is continually trying to move the club forward."
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